Harry Redknapp admits that it would be difficult not to start Roman Pavlyuchenko against Everton on Sunday, but admits that the Tottenham striker needs to work harder on the pitch.

The striker has scored four goals in Tottenham’s last two matches and Redknapp wants Pav to show him that he can do it on a regular basis.

Redknapp told The Sun: “In the transfer window, there were clubs interested in taking Pav. Birmingham was the only Premier League club but there were a few in Russia – the player’s preferred choice of destination if we let him go – and elsewhere.

“But I went in with our chairman, Daniel Levy discussed the offers and we both felt that we wanted Pav to stay. Particularly as Robbie Keane was heading to Celtic.

“Pav has come in, scored and he is sky-high right now.

“We play Everton on Sunday and it would be very difficult not to start him now.

“He is very laid back and, as I’ve already said, he needs to work a bit harder on the pitch.

“When someone is scoring goals, you don’t notice their work-rate so much but it is an area he needs to improve, without a doubt.

“His English is not getting much better so that is difficult for him.

“Yet, hopefully, as a team we can all pull together. And there are a few other lads who are doing really well – such as David Bentley and Gareth Bale.”